MLS All-Star Game: Red Bull Arena shines on night full of stars

In the South Ward, tonight’s match started like any other at Red Bull Arena.

The Red Bulls’ supporters were singing, stomping, clapping and pledging their allegiance to Red Bulls coach Hans Backe, who on this night was leading a team of MLS All-Stars against Manchester United.

Any time the English Premier League champions are in town — they’re the most valuable and one of the most successful clubs in the world’s sport — it is a special occasion. But as they skipped the ball around in New Jersey’s backyard, there was a added sense of familiarity.

The fans in the south stand, where the supporters’ clubs sit during Red Bulls games, unfurled a sign that read “The Supporters Who Never Sleep.”

The collective cheer of 26,760 fans rolled around the stadium, contained by the partial roof that curls over the seats made the sound of a crowd twice its size. That Manchester United beat the home team 4-0 did not curtail any celebrations.

“Well it was a home atmosphere,” Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry said after starting for MLS. “It’s one of those where you don’t get too mad if they cheer for Man United. You understand that’s part of the game and that’s how it is. They want to have fun. … It’s a fun one, at the end of the day.”

Henry, Backe, central defender Tim Ream and striker Juan Agudelo all made their MLS All-Star debuts in their home stadium.

“First of all, getting selected to the All-Star team and All-Star game and having your first one be in front of your fans is something you’ll always remember,” Ream said, who was voted a starter by a fan vote. “It’s not something that happens to a lot of guys in their first one. It’s something I’ll always cherish and something I’ll always be able to brag about.”

Agudelo entered the game in the 81st minute and received to an ovation from the home fans.

“It’s awesome to do this at home, and I’m really excited to play in my next game — I feel like I have so much more confidence from this,” said Agudelo, who was raised in Barnegat. “It’s unreal just to play with (Manchester United). When I was called, I would have been happy just to have good seats to the game. If I had played one second, or zero seconds, it would have been awesome for me.”

“I think it was a good atmosphere for both teams,” Ferguson said. “It’s a nice stadium for atmosphere — the fans are close to the ground. It’s more like an English ground.”
Backe echoed his counterpart’s words.

“It’s a phenomenal environment,” Backe said. “Every time I have fans coming over and watching the Red Bulls they are always impressed by the fans.”